Rare gull 01.02.13

A qucik visit to Amwell today after I postponed a trip to Therfield Heath due to weather that wasn't worth going chasing owls and shrikes in.
Almost immediately I caught sight, through the scope, of an aggresive gull some 400 yards away on the water. Beak, white head, sloping forehead and general demeanour made me think caspian. One had been present for several days but it normally left the roost before returning late afternoon. I pointed it out to a chap who had just arrived for whom it would be a lifer. Best get it right, I thought.
However, after about half an hour it obligingly flew in front of us and showed all features you would expect of a caspian. Still too far off for a good photo, but several here.

 

Other birds around were wigeon (100+) shoveler, and usual suspects. A wander to the next lake, Tumbling Bay, gave views of the overwintering scaup. Now getting into breeding gear and no longer the dull brown bird that it was upon arrival in late 2012.

 Finally, a wander through the alders and willows. Siskins, (below) long tailed tits and tree creepers were all about. The Caspian gull becomes year lister 109 for 2013.